Junior Jury

Seven young musicians, outstanding pianists, have been selected to serve as Junior Jury at the 16th Competition. The Junior Jury will act as an independent body unrelated to the Competition Jury. They will pick a single pianist to receive the Junior Jury Prize and will award encouragement grants to competitors at stages I and II.

Junior Jury Coordinator: Daphna Cohen Mintz

Itamar Feinberg (18), studies with Olga Zolotoyabko in the Rubin Conservatoire in Haifa. He participates in a variety of programs for outstanding pianists. He’s a scholarship winner of the America – Israel Cultural Foundation (AICF) since 2016.

Tohar Gil (25), a graduate of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and the Erasmus+ programme at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München (2020). A recipient of AICF scholarships (2018-2020), Gil has performed as both pianist and conductor in Israel and Europe.

Nabeel Hayek (19), currently studying with Prof. Arie Vardi and Prof. Asaf Zohar, has won numerous prizes in national and international competitions, takes lessons with Murray Perahia, and has performed with three of Israel’s major
orchestras.

Yael Koldovsky (19), a student of Tania Kozlova at the Israel Conservatory of Music in Tel Aviv. Prize winner of national and international competitions. Recipient of AICF and Zefunot Culture scholarships and an ‘Outstanding IDF
Musician’.

David Margalit (19), studies with Prof. Asaf Zohar at Tel Aviv University. Thelma-Yellin graduate, ‘Outstanding IDF Musician’ and winner of excellence grants from AICF and Ronen foundation. Live recitals on Israeli radio and concerts
in Israel and abroad.

Alona Milner (24), Studied with Dr. Michal Tal and currently with Prof. Tomer Lev. ‘Outstanding IDF Musician’, winner of numerous scholarships, 2nd prize of the “Katz” competition and the prize for the obligatory piece in “Clairmont”
competition (2020).

IIlia Ovcharenko (20), Ukraine, has won numerous international competitions, among them Singapore IPC, Campillos, Horowitz, Rubinstein (Poland), Piano Campus and Eppan Academy (Italy). A student of Prof. Arie Vardi, Illia held
concerts in the US and Europe and participated in renowned festivals.